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It has been years since Spiders precious Exo had disappeared, the large Eliksni never having given up on searching for him. He seemed to be getting close to finding out what had happened, whether he was alive or not. He would never admit it, but he was holding hope close with him the closer he got.
Of course, today he now remembers why he always told himself to never hold hope in the palm of his hand. The devastation when you realize what you were searching for is no longer there, the crushing feeling of all of that dead hope weighing you down almost physically from its weight.
~~~
Spider had just walked into a bar on the far side of this neutral planet he had landed on. Finding such a planet was hard, however with the efforts from the recent surge of arising guardians it had become much easier. He glanced around as the room had quieted for a few moments, no one having expected such a respected Eliksni to have walked in.
As quickly as it had dulled, the roar of the bar picked back up as Spider walked through the crowd. Even with his size and weight, he carried himself elegantly; with such pride in his step he almost seemed to he stalking around the bar, chest puffed out slightly. Just as he'd reached the counter, about to gesture for the bartender, something caught his eye. Something seemingly so familiar he visibly did a doubletake, startling one of the patrons next to him.
There, across the bar leaned up against the corner and surveying the room, seemed to be the one he was looking for. Turning towards the bartender as he beckoned him over with his claw, head doing a small jab towards the mech. "That exo, there in the corner. Who is he?"
Said bartender looked to where the other was gesturing before quickly looking away, whispering quietly under his breath as though to not gain the exo's attention. "Thats Pylaks. You don't want to go near him nor gain his attention though, sir. Trust me, it... Would not be a pretty sight were he to decide he did not like you."
That, was an odd reaction. Most people who knew of Spider never seemed to underestimate his ability to put one in their place should they try to cross him, let alone try to cause him harm in an open, public place such as this. What had this 'Pylaks' done to instill such fear into others? And why did he remind Spider so much of him... He must find out what is going on, and he has wasted enough time dawdling around others to avoid a confrontation.
---
Pylaks had already noticed Spider staring at him, choosing to have ignored it. He did not wish to fight for his reputation right now. However, the 'traveler' did not seem to be on his side today as he watched the large eliksni strut his way towards him. He had a familiar glean in his eyes, and something about his posture, his aura, made him feel on edge yet calm all at once. It was a feeling he did not like, nor something he wished to continue feeling.
He cooled his expression into an even darker one than it had been before, his optics narrowing towards Spider as he approached. He stood straighter, his backstruts almost locking as he met eyes with the other and they stood there in silence for several moments before the other spoke.
"Why."
He, had not expected such a simple yet confusing statement directed towards him in this manner before. There seemed to be a deep seated pain behind his eyes, his expression constantly wavering between a stone cold glare and what seemed to be hurt. An internal battle was going on inside of this Eliksni's head that Pylaks could not comprehend. He had never met this being before, nor anyone he would have deemed important enough to have Spider, an eliksni with quite the reputation, to come seeking him out.
"Excuse m-"
"Why did you leave?"
That only confused him further, his optic ridges furrowing slightly as confusion splayed itself clear across his face. "I'm afraid I have no clue what you're talking about. We have never met before-"
"Exo, why?"
That seemed to be more than a comment on just his physical appearance. A comment that felt so familiar yet something he could not remember, a long forgotten memory. "I am not quite sure what you mean by that, nor what you are truly asking me. I must go, so if you would politel-"
---
Spider could not understand why Exo refused to acknowledge him by name, or even seem to recall of their shared times together.
"Exo, that was your name. Do you truly not recall it? You have really forgotten our time together? Your promises to my people? To me?"
He could hardly keep the hurt out of his voice, unaware as to why he was becoming such a broken mess. He had not acted like this before, had never felt like this. None of it made sense yet somehow at the same time it was the only thing that felt right.
---
Pylaks simply paused, staring at Spider for a long moment. Shaking his head as he tried to move around the other, voice clear yet void of emotion. "I have no clue what you're speaking of. Now, I must really be leaving."
Though he didn't get very far, stopping in his tracks as something unlocked itself. Something overwhelmingly familiar and painful. An emotion so powerful he almost felt himself break entirely, turning back to look at the large Eliksni who seemed to be staring at him in both hope and pain. A combination he recognized all too well, but something he wished to never feel again.
"I... I am sorry, Spider. But I believe the person you are looking for has since been long gone, a being you should no longer seek for. He was different then, but something inescapable happened. Something so deeply seated in horror and pain he could not bear it, nor could he stay. I do wish I could tell you more, however it would not be wise. Not here, not now. You may know later on in the future, once his story has gotten out there. Has reached many, but for now? You should stop your search and go home to your people, they need you more than your Exo ever truly did. He has moved on, and you must as well. Goodbye, Spider."
~~~
That was the last Spider had ever heard of or from him, the last moment in which Spider had let himself truly love someone he could no longer have. That was the last time he would ever see his beloved Exo.
Well, as far as he was aware.